Mortgage Fraud

In Lauderdale County three separate people are facing legal battles thanks to allegations of mortgage fraud.

Rhonda Hare of Hare Mortgage plead guilty in August to three counts of wire fraud. The former Meridian business owner was sentenced this week to three years in prison with two years suspended and one year under house arrest.

Meanwhile an former employee in a Meridian law firm was also convicted of wire fraud. Linda Stephens of Collinsville plead guilty this week to one count of wire fraud. She was given a three-year, suspended sentence and three years of probation.

The Attorney General's Office says each woman had previously been charged with one count of conspiracy in a mortgage scheme.
A Meridian business owner has also plead guilty to wire fraud. David Hand, president of Mid-South Mortgage and Investments, plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud this week. His company operated in Meridian under the name Freedom Lending. In June, the company's license was suspended and he was fined 10-thousand dollars.